Then he began to examine the treasure. "'Illustrated London News!' well I'll be jiggered! 'Corn Hill,' 'The Century,' 'Leisure Hour,' 'The Canadian Magazine,' and lots more, whole stacks of them; my, what a treat! Say, parson, where did you get them?"
"They came with the mission supplies," was the response. "For years they have been gathering there, and not long ago I was tempted to have a big bonfire, and burn the oldest ones, as they were taking up so much room. But now I'm glad I didn't."
"So am I," assented Joe. "But say," he continued, looking round the room, "what's all that stuff for?"
"Oh, they're mission supplies for the Indians."
"And you sell the stuff?"
"Yes."
"Oh, then, that's what Pritchen and Perdue meant. I didn't understand them at the time."
"Why, what did they say?" asked Keith.
"They said a lot; told what a grafter you are, that you supply the Indians with all sorts of things, take their furs in return, and are making a fortune out of them, all under the cloak of religion."
"And did they say that?" The missionary's tone was one of astonishment, and an expression of pain crossed his face.